Caring hand

MIChild gives health care to state's children

In the 1992 presidential campaign, Democratic candidate Bill Clinton brought the problem of the uninsured to the nation's attention. After Hillary Rodham Clinton's appointment as head of a task force to implement health care reforms, she failed to convince Congress to institute significant changes in the nation's health care system. Since then, the issue has diminished significantly from the political spotlight. The state of Michigan is now bringing it back and making significant efforts to address children's health care problems that continue to persist today.

The state Department of Community Health is designing a health insurance program called "MIChild" to insure almost 156,000 of the state's uninsured children. These children are not currently insured because their families earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid but have an annual income close to the federal poverty level - which is $16,000 for a family of four. Under the new program, families will pay no more than $8 per month for one child and no more than $16 per month for two or more children. These children will have health coverage provided by a managed care company. Services covered include doctor's visits, in- and outpatient care, prescription drug coverage, mental health services, dental services, diagnostic tests and vision screenings.

The federal government deserves commendation for the funding of this beneficial program as it is a part of the bi-partisan budget passed last summer. Democrats and Republicans in Congress, under the leadership of President Bill Clinton, passed the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. The act requires the federal government to set aside almost $24 billion over the next five years to pay for programs like the state's across the country. Under the new bill, programs like MIChild will be paid for by both the states and the federal government - a new trend in the implementation of major legislation that requires greater cooperation between the levels of government. MIChild will receive $40 million from the state and almost $92 million from Washington.

Michigan's elected officials also deserve credit. Gov. John Engler and the state legislators are putting forth a genuine effort to protect the state's uninsured children. In addition to providing financial support, the state organized a series of suggestive forums in which citizens can give their input on the program. The state Department of Community Health also deserves equal praise. Before the program goes into effect, it needs approval by the U.S. Department of Health and Human services. The department should quickly approve it to allow for the program's expected implementation this spring.

State officials should pay special attention to getting the word out about the program's services. In order to prevent the federal funds from going to waste, the state must ensure that poor families know how to go about obtaining MIChild's coverage.

MIChild is a good example of government working to aid its citizens - designing public policy on a nationwide level and seeing to its enforcement on state and local levels. The federal government depends on the states to implement its policies just as the states depend on the federal government for financial support. This positive display of bi-partisan governing is needed to help overcome more of the nation's problems.

11-17-97